Rotating Card Reader Mounting for Ergonomic Payment Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing devices with card readers lack versatility in handling, as the card reader's position and swipe direction are not easily adaptable to accommodate both right- and left-handed users, limiting ergonomic accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A card reader system where the holding device can be rotated to switch between mounting positions on different side walls of the housing, ensuring the card slot's pull-through direction remains consistent, utilizing a holding plate with fastening means that allow secure attachment and easy conversion between positions without requiring the structural unit to be rotated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the card reader is mounted on a fixed side wall, then the mounting structure is simple, but the handling universality for both right- and left-handed users is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling universalityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is designed to be rotatable relative to the structural unit, allowing the card reader to be dynamically repositioned between different side walls. This dynamic mounting capability enables the system to adapt to different user preferences (right-handed or left-handed) without requiring multiple fixed mounting structures, thereby improving handling universality while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device serves multiple functions: it can attach the card reader to different side walls of the housing and maintain consistent card insertion orientation regardless of mounting position. This multi-functionality allows a single mounting structure to accommodate various usage scenarios, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the card reader is rotated to change mounting position, then the handling universality is improved, but the card slot pull-through direction changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting position flexibilityVSAvoidcard insertion consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is designed to rotate as a whole unit with the card reader, rather than rotating the card reader independently. This ensures that when the mounting position changes, the card slot's pull-through direction remains consistent relative to the card's orientation, maintaining ease of operation while achieving mounting position flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device has an asymmetric design with a specific rotation direction and orientation that ensures the card slot always faces the correct direction regardless of which side wall the card reader is mounted on. This asymmetric configuration allows the system to achieve positional flexibility while maintaining operational consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the structural unit is rotated to change mounting position, then the card reader can be mounted on different side walls, but the conversion process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting position variabilityVSAvoidconversion process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into two independent parts: the structural unit (card reader) and the holding device. The holding device is designed to be rotatable and detachable, allowing it to be independently adjusted or replaced without affecting the structural unit. This segmentation simplifies the conversion process, as users only need to rotate or reattach the holding device rather than rotating the entire card reader assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device acts as an intermediary between the structural unit and the housing. It provides the rotational and mounting functionality, allowing the structural unit to remain simple while achieving mounting position variability. This intermediary design simplifies conversion by isolating the complexity to the holding device rather than the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2296120B1Data processing device
Publication Date: 2013.05.15 WINCOR NIXDORF INT GMBH
  • EP2296120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2296120B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2296120B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a data processing device, in particular a payment device, with a housing having a plurality of straight side walls, wherein a card reader is attached to a predetermined side wall via a holding device, to which a card slot arranged on a front of the card reader with a predetermined direction of card insertion runs parallel, wherein the holding device on the one hand and a component of the card reader having the card slot on the other hand are designed such that, solely by rotating the holding device by a predetermined angle of rotation relative to the component of the card reader, the latter can be selectively brought into a first mounting position in contact with a first side wall of the housing and into a second mounting position in contact with a second side wall of the housing parallel to the first side wall.where the predetermined direction of card insertion runs in the same direction.